Last updated: 9 march, 2010 - 17:47 GMT
Music: Jerry Dammers
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As leader of The Specials in the 1980s, Jerry Dammers brought a brand new British shine to Jamaican ska music.
Now he's leading an 18 piece big band paying tribute to psychedelic jazz pioneer Sun Ra.
He talked to Mark Coles about his old group's political message of anti-racism and his hopes for his new band.
The Specials (Jerry Dammers top right) in 1980
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